perspiration

noun

per·​spi·​ra·​tion ˌpər-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce perspiration (audio)
1
: the action or process of perspiring
2
: a saline fluid secreted by the sweat glands : sweat

Examples of perspiration in a Sentence

She wiped the perspiration from her forehead.
Recent Examples on the Web They’re described as sudden feelings of warmth in the upper body to the point of perspiration, often most intense over the face, neck and chest. Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 But piling on insulation often means trapping excess warmth, which can lead to trapping excess perspiration. Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2023 Whatever that ends up looking like for you, Hemmen says that at a minimum, your limb should be cleaned after every prosthetic use, more often if excessive perspiration is an issue. Chloé Valentine Toscano, Allure, 30 Nov. 2023 Most Popular Wellness Each Zodiac Sign's Unique Personality Traits Hair Freestyle Braids Are Not Your Grandma’s Cornrows In addition to perfecting the perspiration’s consistency, Favorule had to keep sweat continuity in mind. Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 22 Dec. 2023 Cady said that water loss from perspiration means that your body needs more water to stay healthy. Allie Kelly, Dallas News, 12 July 2023 Though thermals, thick sweaters and puffy coats make sense on icy streets, enter a packed subway, stuffy restaurant or inferno-like office and cue the perspiration. Ashley Ogawa Clarke, WSJ, 14 Dec. 2023 The essay offers applicants a vital provocation to look inward through a laborious process of inspiration, perspiration, and revision. Dan Lichterman, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2023 Once it has been ingested, this sulfur compound will try to escape through expiration and perspiration. Mark Kurlansky, Bon Appétit, 6 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perspiration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of perspiration was in 1583

Dictionary Entries Near perspiration

Cite this Entry

“Perspiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perspiration. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

perspiration

noun
per·​spi·​ra·​tion ˌpər-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce perspiration (audio)
1
: the act or process of perspiring
2
: a salty fluid given off by the sweat glands : sweat

Medical Definition

perspiration

noun
per·​spi·​ra·​tion ˌpər-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce perspiration (audio)
1
: the act or process of perspiring
2
: a saline fluid that is secreted by the sweat glands, that consists chiefly of water containing sodium chloride and other salts, nitrogenous substances (as urea), carbon dioxide, and other solutes, and that serves both as a means of excretion and as a regulator of body temperature through the cooling effect of its evaporation

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